Purple Rain – State Theater – Minneapolis MN – November 5th, 2025

Purple Rain – Opening Night & Pre-Broadway Performance

State Theater, Minneapolis MN – November 5^th, 2025

Walking into a theater for Purple Rain as a lifelong Prince fan, and a proud Minneapolitan, brings a swirl of emotions: hesitation, curiosity, excitement, and, most of all, anticipation. The idea of hearing Prince’s music live again feels like coming home. The moment I entered the beautiful theater and saw the grand purple-and-floral curtain draped across the stage, that anticipation set in. I wondered whether this relatively new stage lead could pull off the iconic sound and spirit of our beloved Prince from the 1984 film. If the music delivered, I knew I’d leave happy.

The show opens in “The First,” a nightclub that instantly evokes First Avenue — the Minneapolis venue forever tied to Prince’s legacy and the site of many of the original Purple Rain concert scenes. The attention to detail was impressive: 80s-style TVs flickering on the back wall, neon-clad clubgoers, and tiered balconies reminiscent of the real-life venue. It truly felt like stepping back into a night out in 1984 Minneapolis.

The production’s main settings shifted between The First and The Kid’s bedroom — the latter framed by a striking purple bookshelf wall, zodiac-inspired mural, and candlelit mood lighting. Scene transitions were smooth and purposeful, maintaining the show’s pacing without distraction.

Story-wise, the production was a mix of hits and misses. The first act stayed fairly faithful to the film’s emotional arc: The Kid, a talented but troubled musician, struggles with creative control, band tension, and his budding relationship with the wide-eyed newcomer Apollonia. This half struck a good balance between nostalgia and fresh stage energy.

The second act, however, lost some of that grounding. While it attempted to address deeper themes like mental health and domestic violence, those moments felt abbreviated and emotionally diluted. Instead of allowing the darkness of those struggles to resonate, the show often breezed past them with quick resolutions and tidy speeches. At times, I wondered: If I hadn’t seen the original film, would I even understand what was happening—or care enough to? That realization dimmed some of the magic for me.

Visually, the production nailed the 1980s aesthetic — the costumes, lighting, and set design all immersed the audience in Prince’s world. However, the dialogue and tone sometimes broke from that era, leaving the setting’s timeline a bit unclear. If the creative intent was to blend eras or modernize the story, a subtler approach could have made that transition smoother.

A few creative choices also left me puzzled. The staging of the major love scene between The Kid and Apollonia, featuring multiple dancers, felt overdone and distracted from the intimacy of the moment. Similarly, the addition of a movie screen in the second act — projecting pre-filmed “memories” and live video footage — introduced too many competing visuals. While inventive, these techniques lacked cohesion, pulling focus away from the story rather than enhancing it. Limiting those elements and weaving them more consistently throughout might have strengthened the overall impact.

Among the cast, two standout performances come from seasoned Broadway professionals Rachel Webb as Apollonia and Jared Howelton as Morris. Both bring a welcome level of polish and stage confidence that elevates the entire ensemble.

Kris Kollins, making his theater debut as The Kid, channels Prince’s unmistakable stage presence and musical charisma with genuine passion. Vocally and musically, he delivers the electricity fans crave. However, his acting occasionally lacks depth, a shortcoming likely to improve with experience and time in the role. Still, his musical performances more than justify the anticipation.

Howelton’s portrayal of Morris, inspired by the legendary Morris Day of The Time, is the show-stealer. His comic timing, charisma, and smooth swagger light up every scene he’s in, offering some of the production’s most engaging moments.

Ultimately, Purple Rain’s pre-Broadway production is a heartfelt, visually rich homage to Prince and his legacy and the original film, but one still searching for its rhythm. When the music plays — and that unmistakable Minneapolis sound fills the theater — the energy is electric. Yet between those moments, the show occasionally loses its way. With some refinement and stronger storytelling focus, it has the potential to become the vibrant celebration fans like me are hoping for.